The first Houston-area location opened at 5620 W. Grand Parkway South in Richmond in August.

The first Houston-area location opened at 5620 W. Grand Parkway South in Richmond in August.

Photo: company

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There are 350 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in the U.S. The franchise has targeted Houston as a place to expand.

There are 350 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in the U.S. The franchise has targeted Houston as a place to expand.

Photo: company

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Interior photo of a Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

Interior photo of a Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

Photo: Amber Frederiksen

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Flatbreads cost about $8 along with a smoothie and chips.

Flatbreads cost about $8 along with a smoothie and chips.

Photo: company

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Turkey bacon sandwich.

Turkey bacon sandwich.

Photo: company

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe is open at 5620 W. Grand Parkway South in Richmond .

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is open at 5620 W. Grand Parkway South in Richmond .

Photo: company

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Tropical Smoothie Cafe set to expand in Houston

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The first local Tropical Smoothie Cafe has opened in Fort Bend County, and the company has targeted Houston as a market for expansion.

“We believe there is a high quality of life index in Houston, and the ‘Eat Better, Feel Better’ concept of Tropical Smoothie Cafe is a great match for the Houston community,” said Mike Rotondo, CEO of the 350-restaurant chain with locations concentrated in the southeastern U.S.

The company, which offers made-on-site smoothies as well as sandwiches, wraps and salads, is seeking franchise partners to open up to 20 locations in the Houston area in the next five years. It has two locations in Austin where it has operated for years.

Local entrepreneurs Jignesh Patel and Hemal Patel opened the Houston area’s first Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 5620 W. Grand Parkway South in Richmond in August.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe is set up to appeal to people with active lifestyles who want to eat healthy, Rotondo said. It is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The average ticket totals about $8 for a smoothie, a wrap or flatbread sandwich, and chips. About half the customers come to buy smoothies alone in the ballpark of $4.50 to $5.

The most popular menu item is the spinach and kale smoothie, which also blends in pineapple, mango and banana.

“We introduced it in March and it has rocketed into the No. 1 position,” Rotondo said. “It really doesn’t taste like spinach and kale.”

The cost to open a franchise about $250,000 to $275,000 including franchise fees and construction, Rotondo said.

The development in the Houston area is part of a strategy to open 40 locations throughout the U.S. this year, and another 55 next year.